La Jolla Friends of the Seals, a non-profit all-volunteer organization, was established in May 1999. Its specific purposes are the preservation of the La Jolla Harbor seal colony for ecological, educational, scientific, historic and scenic opportunities. These are accomplished through a volunteer Naturalist-Docent Program which provides environmental education for the public and promotes safe viewing of Harbor seals and other marine life. Friends of the Seals Naturalist-Docents volunteer six hours a month to educate visitors and gather valuable data about the seals. Many of our docents are working professionals, educators and seniors, and we are proud to offer such an educational resource to the local and international community. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded La Jolla Friends of the Seals the Environmental Hero Award 2000 in recognition of its valuable work.